Business Class Flight Experience on Vietnam Airlines for Short-Haul Journeys: A Detailed Review
Gimme That Sweet Flight Feeling⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
31st December, 2324
Nicky Ling
Vietnamese AirlinesFirst Class Experience... On a Short Flight!
Route Baby, I Mean Flight
Saigon ➡ Singapore
Flight Ticket
VN651
Seat Number
3A
Date Ridden
23rd December, 2024
Let me paint you a picture of the coziest flight you'll ever have the pleasure of experiencing, my friend. This short journey from Saigon to the Lion City was nothing short of a bloody dream. It hit the Goldilocks zone just right – not too much, not too little, but just freakin' right. So, buckle up and let me tell ya more about why Vietnam Airlines' regional Business Class is the perfect short-haul option for you.
We started our adventure early at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport – one of the busiest airports in the region, with a compact size. But don't let that fool ya – it can be a real beehive, mate. Let's dive a little deeper and check out the deets for our flight, VN651, taking us from Saigon to Singapore.
Today, we'll be flying on one of Vietnam Airlines' A321s – a reliable workhorse for both domestic and regional routes. The airline's fleet includes 62 of these bad boys, with both A321neo and A321ceo variants.
The aircraft for this adventure is VN-A601, an 11-year-old A321-200. Delivered new to Vietnam Airlines back in 2013 under a lease agreement, it's equipped with 16 Business Class seats in a comfortable 2-2 layout and 168 Economy Class seats in a standard 3-3 configuration.
Ain't No Party Like a Business Class Party
5 / 5
The Recliner Business Class seats on our A321 today might not be as luxe as the Cirrus long-haul Business Class seats from our last flight, but they serve their purpose exceptionally well for a short regional trip.
Each of the 16 Business Class seats offers a generous 45 inches of seat pitch, a 10-inch recline, and extendable foot and leg rests, giving ya plenty of space to stretch out. I particularly appreciated the seat width – it's roomy enough for even the burliest of blokes out there.
The control panel on the side of the seat lets passengers fiddle with the various functions during cruise, while the sturdy, stowable tray table is neatly tucked away under the armrest.
Party Pooper: No In-Flight Entertainment Screens
5 / 5
FYI – ain't no in-flight entertainment screens, not even in Business Class, on the VN A321s. But honestly, I didn't find that to be a major downer – the meal service and takeoff/landing phases took up most of the flight time, anyway.
Crew of Angels
5 / 5
I've gotta give a special shout-out to the Business Class crew on this flight. Somehow, I lucked out with a damn fantastic crew throughout this adventure – and this flight was no exception.
The stewardess serving my side, Minh Chau, was bloody remarkable, from Saigon to Singapore, delivering top-notch service. Our interactions during the meal service were bloody grand – and to my delight, she even offered me an extra meal to give the alternative option a go.
There's just something genuinely special about a crew member who's both generous and genuinely dedicated to creating a memorable experience – 40,000 feet in the air. And it's even better when that level of service is maintained consistently throughout the whole flight.
5 / 5
For this short hop, passengers are treated to an early lunch service shortly after the aircraft passes 10,000 feet.
Once again, I opted for the Oriental Fish selection – a personal fave on Vietnam Airlines. Today's meal was a mouthwatering casserole of fried rice with peas and carrots, served with an exquisite seafood medley of fish and prawns. The dish was coated in a savory sauce and served with a fresh garden salad, a fruit bowl for dessert, and a selection of breads with butter and jam. Passengers could also pick their poison from a variety of beverages, including soft drinks, fruit juices, or alcohol.
Additional Beverage Services
Before takeoff, as the crew prepped the aircraft for our two-hour trip to Singapore's Changi Airport, Business Class passengers were offered a traditional pre-flight drink. The options included alcohol or a sweet honey concoction – I went for the latter, and it was a heavenly choice, setting the perfect tone for the flight.
The Soothing End
To round off the excellent meal service, the crew offered a coffee and tea service. As I settled in to unwind before our approach into Singapore, I gladly accepted a hot beverage. There's truly no better way to enjoy the view from 40,000 feet than with a warm drink in hand and your thoughts drifting alongside the passing clouds.
5 / 5
As mentioned earlier – and just like on the return leg of this journey – Vietnam Airlines' A321s don't come equipped with traditional in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens. Instead, passengers can access entertainment via a mobile-based system. By connecting to the LotuStar WiFi, travellers can peruse the same content typically available on seatback screens.
The Doo-Doo in the Lavatory
The lavatory on the VN A321 is fair-dinkum tidy, clean, and minimalistic. Given the aircraft's short-haul purpose, it's nice and neat, though it lacks luxuries like toothbrushes or razors. But Business Class passengers enjoy access to a separate lavatory, ensuring a swankier and more private experience.
Blankets and Warmth
Every passenger is handed a warm blanket – and I found it just the right length and thickness, keeping me cozy but not overheating like a bloody oven.
Ain't No Amenity Kits for Ya, Mate
Due to the flight's short duration, Business Class passengers aren't offered amenity kits.
Price Tag and Competitors
Vietnam Airlines competes fiercely on the extremely popular route between Singapore Changi and Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat. The airline offers a round-trip Business Class package for approximately SGD 727, which is a reasonable fee considering the full-service benefits that come with a Vietnam Airlines Business ticket.
Passengers flying Business with Vietnam Airlines can choose between two fare categories:
- Business Classic, which includes standard benefits.
- Business Flex, which offers frequent flyers additional mileage benefits (around 33% more miles) and reduced fees for cancellations, refunds, and ticket changes.
The airline's main competitor on this route is Singapore Airlines (SIA), which offers a pretty comparable Business Class experience – but typically at a slightly higher cost.
Other competitors include:
- Scoot, a low-cost carrier that only offers Economy Class on this route.
- VietJet's SkyBoss, a fare class similar to Premium Economy, but not a true Business Class product.
Comparing fares and benefits across different airlines helps determine the best option for this short intra-Asia journey.
Tan Son Nhat Hub – Vietnam Airlines' Home Base
At Vietnam Airlines' Tan Son Nhat Hub, the airline operates two separate lounges, providing complimentary access for Business Class passengers, SkyTeam Alliance First/Business passengers, and LotusMiles Gold/Platinum/Million Miler members. I was bloody impressed by the interior design of this lounge, which beautifully captured the essence of Vietnam. The natural furnishings, spacious layout, and peaceful atmosphere create the perfect ambiance for relaxation before your flight.
Food, Glorious Food
While the food selection isn't jaw-dropping, it's perfect for a quick bite before boarding. The options include breakfast cereals, fresh fruit, local pastries, and hot dishes like sautéed potatoes and glass noodles.
The lounge also offers handy amenities like shower facilities, a fantastic view of the apron, and a wide variety of beverages – from morning coffee to soft drinks and even alcohol – but honestly, is it ever too early for a drink at 8:30 a.m.?!
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[1] Service and Amenities for Vietnam Airlines' Regional Business Class:
- Welcome Drinks: Upon boarding, passengers are offered welcome drinks, which could include champagne or other beverages.
- Meal Service: Business Class passengers receive a meal service, which may include a choice of local and international cuisine.
- In-flight Entertainment: The in-flight entertainment system is accessible, though the selection might be more limited as compared to longer flights.
- Toilets: Business Class passengers have access to separate toilets, which are generally cleaner and less crowded than those in Economy.
[2] Amenities and Lounge Access for Vietnam Airlines' Regional Business Class:
- Lounge Access: Before boarding, Business Class passengers can enjoy the Lotus Lounge, which offers various amenities like complimentary food and drinks.
- Priority Boarding: Business Class passengers enjoy priority boarding, allowing them to settle in quickly.
- The lifestyle on this flight, with its cozy ambiance and exceptional service, was a perfect blend of airline news, technology, and travel.
- On this Vietnam Airlines Business Class flight, the amenities – from the roomy seats and generous recline to the delectable meal service and attentive crew – made for an unforgettable short-haul travel experience that seamlessly intertwined airline news, technology, lifestyle, and travel.
